Panthers Trade McIlrath to Detroit for Vanek

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers President of Hockey Operations Dale Tallon announced today that the Panthers have acquired forward Thomas Vanek from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for D Dylan McIlrath and a conditional 2017 third-round draft pick.

“Thomas is a proven scorer in this league who will add some offensive savvy and experience to our young group of forwards,” said Tallon. “We believe strongly in our group and we’re confident that he will help our power play and supplement our core effectively.”

Vanek, 33, has recorded 38 points (15-23-38) in 48 games with Detroit. Vanek’s 15 goals led the Red Wings and his even-strength scoring rate ranks in the top-five among all NHL forwards this season, by points per hour (2.8).  In 784 games since the 2006-07 season the 6-foot-2, 214-pound native of Vienna, Austria ranks 10th in goals among all active NHLers (306).

Over 865 NHL games, Vanek has recorded 687 points (331-356-687) for Detroit (2016-17), the Minnesota Wild (2014-16), Montreal Canadiens (2014), New York Islanders (2013-14) and Buffalo Sabres (2005-2013). The 2009 NHL All-Star was originally selected by Buffalo in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2003 NHL Draft.